A former standout basketball player from Manchester was honored by his alma mater Saturday.

Sam Carey's number 52 was retired before a crowd of cheering fans and family members at Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday night. Carey wore the number while playing at Central High School and at SNHU.

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"He scored 1,000 points [and was] probably arguably the best player in the state his senior year, but what we most remember about Sam is who he was and what a great guy he was," Central High School Coach David Wheeler said.

Carey, 26, was killed last November on his way back to Manchester from Canada, where he played professional basketball.

"He cared about the community. He contributed to the community. He believed in life lessons, building into people life lessons, so he leaves behind a lot of life lessons in people," his father, Owen Carey, said.

The tribute was held during a game between Manchester's Central and Memorial high schools.

Sam Carey graduated from Central in 2004 before moving on to SNHU.

"Sam was just a great person, and for this institution, Southern New Hampshire, to allow Central and Memorial to come here in his honor and play here is great. It's amazing. It means a lot to the family," Sams Cousin, Justin Carey, said.

Carey's fiance, Kayte, held the couple's young son Braydon and stood with Sam's parents as his number was retired. Braydon has already been offered a scholarship to SNHU.

"He has a lot of friends from Central that have pledged to keep watch over him and to teach him how to play ball. I think we have a point guard here," Sams Mother, Esther Carey, said.